Sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington DC as of April 2026, with 30 states offering legal online sports betting through licensed apps. The remaining states either limit betting to retail sportsbooks, operate under tribal-only markets, or do not allow sports betting at all. The landscape changed after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, allowing each state to legalize and regulate sports betting independently. Since then, new states have launched nearly every year, with more expected to consider legalization in 2026. This page breaks down every sports betting state, including where online betting is available and which states still restrict or prohibit wagering. Below is a complete guide to sports betting legality in all 50 states, including online availability, launch dates, college betting restrictions, and licensed sportsbooks. Sports Betting Legal States: 2026 Quick Reference The table below shows the current status of sports betting in all 50 states and Washington DC. How Sports Betting Became Legal Across the US Sports betting was effectively illegal at the federal level under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) from 1992 until 2018. The law barred states from authorizing sports gambling, with limited exceptions for Nevada and a few other jurisdictions with existing frameworks. In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association that PASPA was unconstitutional, returning the decision to individual states. New Jersey launched the first legal online sportsbook outside Nevada that August. More than 30 states have since followed. For the latest welcome offers in legal states, visit our sportsbook promos page. Sports Betting by State: Current Status, History, and Available Sportsbooks The sections below cover every US state alphabetically. Each entry includes current legal status, online and retail availability, college betting restrictions, and licensed sportsbooks where available. Is Sports Betting Legal in Alabama? Multiple sports betting bills have failed in Alabama over the past several years. A 2026 constitutional amendment proposal (SB 257) would let voters decide whether to authorize sports betting alongside a state lottery and casinos. It has not yet gathered enough legislative support to advance. Is Sports Betting Legal in Alaska? The most recent legalization bill (HB 145) was introduced in March 2025 but has not advanced. There is no clear timeline for Alaska sports betting. Is Sports Betting Legal in Arizona? Arizona is one of the most competitive markets in the country with 14 licensed online operators. Both professional and college games are available to bet on, but college player props are prohibited. See our full Arizona sports betting guide for current promos and apps. Is Sports Betting Legal in Arkansas? Arkansas launched retail betting in July 2019 and added online wagering in March 2022. In March 2026, DraftKings and FanDuel entered as technology vendors through local partnerships, bringing major national operators to the state for the first time. Is Sports Betting Legal in California? Two California ballot measures in November 2022 each received less than 20% voter support. No new legislation was introduced in 2025. Tribal gaming interests hold significant influence over California’s path to legalization, and no near-term launch appears likely. See our California sports betting page for the latest legislative updates. Is Sports Betting Legal in Colorado? Colorado has the most licensed online sportsbooks of any state at 16. Both professional and college games are available, but college player props are banned. Full operator list and current offers on our Colorado sports betting page. Is Sports Betting Legal in Connecticut? Connecticut operates under tribal gaming agreements and is one of the more restricted markets, with only three licensed online operators. Bettors cannot wager on in-state schools like UConn except during multi-team tournaments. See our Connecticut sports betting guide for current offers. Is Sports Betting Legal in Delaware? Delaware was the first state outside Nevada to launch sports betting following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Online wagering launched in December 2023 with BetRivers as the sole online operator. The market is small but fully regulated. Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida? Florida sports betting has a complicated history. It briefly launched in November 2021 under a compact with the Seminole Tribe, was shut down three weeks later amid legal challenges, and relaunched in November 2023. Hard Rock Bet is the only licensed online sportsbook available statewide. Find out more on our Florida sports betting page. Is Sports Betting Legal in Georgia? Two Georgia House measures reached the floor for debate in 2025 before missing the legislative deadline. A 2026 bill (HB 910) would legalize mobile betting under the Georgia Lottery without requiring a constitutional amendment, but significant hurdles remain. Follow our Georgia sports betting page for the latest updates. Is Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii? Multiple bills were introduced in 2025 but none passed before the legislative deadline. A small step forward was noted in February 2026, but Hawaii remains one of the most restrictive gambling states in the country with no clear launch timeline. Is Sports Betting Legal in Idaho? No sports betting legislation has been introduced in Idaho as of 2025. The state constitution restricts gambling broadly, and there is little political momentum for change. Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois? Illinois has 10 licensed online sportsbooks and is one of the larger Midwest markets. The state raised its sports betting tax rate in the 2025 budget. Bettors cannot wager on in-state college games or college player props. See our Illinois sports betting guide for current promos. Is Sports Betting Legal in Indiana? Indiana launched in September 2019 and is one of the more established markets in the Midwest with 11 licensed operators. College games are available but college player props are banned. See our Indiana sports betting guide for current promos. Is Sports Betting Legal in Iowa? Iowa was an early adopter and has grown into a competitive market with 14 licensed online operators. College games are available for betting but college player props are prohibited. Full guide on our Iowa sports betting page. Is Sports Betting Legal in Kansas? Kansas launched in September 2022 with six licensed online operators. College games are available but college player props are not permitted. See our Kansas sports betting page for current offers. Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky? Kentucky is one of the more bettor-friendly states with no restrictions on college game betting or college player props. Eight licensed operators are available. It launched in September 2023 and has grown quickly. See our Kentucky sports betting guide. Is Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana? Louisiana allows sports betting at the parish level, not statewide. Not all parishes have opted in, so availability varies by location. Eight licensed operators are active in permitted areas. College player props are banned. See our Louisiana sports betting guide for a full breakdown. Is Sports Betting Legal in Maine? Maine is an online-only market with just two licensed operators. There are no retail sportsbook locations. Betting on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited. Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland? Maryland has 11 licensed online operators and is one of the more competitive Mid-Atlantic markets. College games are available but college player props are prohibited. Current promos and app reviews on our Maryland sports betting page. Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts? Massachusetts has some of the most specific college betting rules in the country. In-state teams can only be bet on during qualifying multi-team tournaments like the NCAA Tournament. College player props are prohibited entirely. Full details on our Massachusetts sports betting guide. Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan? Michigan is one of the most established and competitive online betting markets in the Midwest. Multiple major operators are licensed and the market launched in early 2021. See our Michigan sports betting guide for current offers. Is Sports Betting Legal in Minnesota? Minnesota passed a sports betting bill in 2022, but has not launched due to ongoing disputes between tribal gaming interests and racetrack operators. Legislative sessions in 2023 and 2024 stalled, and the 2025-2026 session represents the next major opportunity for progress. Is Sports Betting Legal in Mississippi? Mississippi has had retail sports betting since August 2018 but online wagering is not available statewide. The House passed two online bills in 2026 including one by a 100-11 margin, but both died in the Senate. The Gaming Committee chairman has consistently blocked progress and is in office until 2028. Is Sports Betting Legal in Missouri? Missouri voters approved sports betting via ballot measure and the market launched in December 2025. All major operators are now live in the state. See our Missouri sports betting guide for current promos. Is Sports Betting Legal in Montana? Montana regulates sports betting through the state lottery. Wagers can only be placed at authorized Sports Bet Montana locations. The app does not work statewide and no major national operators are available. Is Sports Betting Legal in Nebraska? Nebraska legalized retail sports betting in May 2021, and physical locations opened in 2023. Online sports betting remains prohibited. A 2024 special session introduced online expansion legislation, but it did not advance. A 2026 ballot initiative is being explored. Is Sports Betting Legal in Nevada? Nevada has had legal sports betting longer than any other state and remains the US retail sportsbook capital. Online wagering has been available since 2010, eight years before any other state. Las Vegas features hundreds of sportsbooks at casinos and resorts. Is Sports Betting Legal in New Hampshire? New Hampshire launched online-only sports betting in January 2020 under an exclusive six-year contract with DraftKings. No other operators are available and there are no retail locations. In-state college games and college player props are prohibited. Is Sports Betting Legal in New Jersey? New Jersey was the driving force behind the Supreme Court case that legalized sports betting nationally and launched the first legal online sportsbook outside Nevada in August 2018. It remains one of the largest markets by handle. See our New Jersey sports betting guide for current offers. Is Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico? New Mexico was one of the first states to offer sports betting post-PASPA, but wagering is limited to in-person at tribal casinos under existing gaming compacts. No major national operators are available, and there is no statewide online betting. Is Sports Betting Legal in New York? New York quickly became the highest-revenue sports betting market in the country after launching online in January 2022. Nine operators are licensed. Betting on in-state college games and college player props in New York is not permitted. For current promos, see our New York sports betting page. Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina? North Carolina became the 30th state to offer statewide online sports betting when it launched in March 2024. All major operators are available. College games can be bet on but college player props are prohibited. See our North Carolina sports betting guide for current promos. Is Sports Betting Legal in North Dakota? North Dakota offers in-person sports betting at tribal casinos but has no statewide online option. A 2025 constitutional amendment proposal to allow voters to decide on online betting was defeated in the House. Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio? Ohio launched both retail and online sports betting on January 1, 2023 following legalization in December 2021. Multiple major operators are licensed and the market has grown quickly. See our Ohio sports betting guide for current promos. Is Sports Betting Legal in Oklahoma? Two bills passed the Oklahoma House in early 2025 but stalled in the Senate. Disagreements between tribal interests and legislators have repeatedly blocked progress despite support from the governor and other stakeholders. Is Sports Betting Legal in Oregon? Oregon did not need new legislation to launch sports betting, as existing state law allowed for limited wagering. DraftKings operates via an exclusive lottery partnership. College game betting and college player props are not available. Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania was one of the first states to take legal sports bets following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling and now has one of the most established markets in the country with multiple licensed operators. See our Pennsylvania sports betting guide for current offers. Is Sports Betting Legal in Rhode Island? Rhode Island offers both retail and online sports betting. Two operators are licensed for online wagering. In-state college games and college player props are prohibited. Is Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina? A South Carolina Senate committee held a hearing in February 2026 for S.444, which would establish a Sports Wagering Commission to regulate online betting. Despite the progress, near-term legalization remains unlikely given the political and regulatory hurdles involved. Is Sports Betting Legal in South Dakota? South Dakota voters approved sports betting in 2020. Four casinos in Deadwood began accepting bets in September 2021. Bettors must be on casino property to wager. A 2025 proposed constitutional amendment to allow statewide online betting would need to go to voters in 2026. Is Sports Betting Legal in Tennessee? Tennessee is an online-only sports betting market with no retail locations. Multiple major operators are licensed. College games can be bet on, but college player props are not available. See our Tennessee sports betting guide for current promos. Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? Texas sports betting remains illegal despite growing support from major professional sports franchises and some lawmakers. A bill passed the Texas House in 2023 for the first time in state history but stalled in the Senate. No major sports betting legislation advanced during the 2025 legislative session, as efforts again failed to gain traction in the Senate. The Texas legislature meets every two years in odd-numbered sessions, making 2027 the next realistic opportunity for another legalization attempt. Our Texas sports betting page tracks the latest legislative developments. Is Sports Betting Legal in Utah? Utah has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country. The state constitution explicitly prohibits all forms of gambling, making sports betting legalization an extremely unlikely prospect without a constitutional amendment. Is Sports Betting Legal in Vermont? Vermont launched online-only sports betting in January 2024. There are no retail sportsbook locations. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook are the three licensed operators. Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia? Virginia launched in January 2021 and has grown into a competitive market. Betting on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited. See our Virginia sports betting guide. Is Sports Betting Legal in Washington State? Washington state passed legislation in 2020 to permit sports betting at tribal casinos. All wagers must originate from tribal land. More than 15 casinos offer in-person and app-based wagering, but the app only works within tribal boundaries. Major commercial operators like FanDuel are not available statewide. Is Sports Betting Legal in Washington DC? Washington DC has legal sports betting available district-wide through six licensed operators. The market expanded significantly in 2024 from a previous single-operator model. The minimum legal betting age is 18, though some operators require 21. See our Washington DC sports betting guide for full details. Is Sports Betting Legal in West Virginia? West Virginia was the fifth state to legalize sports betting following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Both retail and online wagering are available with multiple major operators licensed. See our West Virginia sports betting page. Is Sports Betting Legal in Wisconsin? Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed online sports betting into law on April 9, 2026. The law gives Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes exclusive rights to operate mobile sportsbooks, meaning commercial operators like DraftKings and FanDuel cannot offer independent apps. Launch is expected several months after the law took effect. Is Sports Betting Legal in Wyoming? Wyoming is an online-only sports betting market that launched in September 2021. Five operators are currently licensed in the state. H2: States Where Sports Betting Is Not Legal Currently, the following states have no legal sports betting of any kind: Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, and South Carolina have active discussions and are the most likely candidates to launch within the next two to four years. California and Utah face the highest structural barriers. Which States Could Legalize Sports Betting Next? Legal Sportsbooks by State The operators below hold active licenses in multiple US states. Click any sportsbook name to see current welcome offers, promo codes, and sign-up details. How to Start Betting on Sports in Your State If you are in a state with legal online sports betting, getting started is straightforward: For a full comparison of the top licensed apps across legal states, see our best betting apps guide. Responsible Gambling Sports betting should be entertainment. Only wager what you can afford to lose and never bet to recover losses. All licensed sportsbooks in legal states must offer responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, self-exclusion, and spending trackers. If gambling stops being enjoyable or begins affecting your daily life, free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day. You must be 21 or older to place a sports wager in most states. Some states permit betting at 18. Age requirements vary by state and operator. Sports Betting by State FAQ Where is sports betting legal in the US? Sports betting is legal in 39 states plus Washington DC as of April 2026. Of those, 30 states offer online or mobile wagering through licensed apps. The remaining legal states are limited to retail sportsbooks or tribal-only markets. Some states, including Tennessee, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Wyoming, are online-only markets with no retail sportsbooks. Others, such as Florida and Washington, allow only limited forms of online wagering.Here is a list of all legal sports betting states, including online, retail, and tribal-only states: AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, WY How many states have legal online sports betting apps? As of April 2026, 30 states plus Washington DC offer legal online sports betting. Wisconsin signed online wagering into law in April 2026 but has not yet launched.Here is a list of states that allow online or mobile sports betting in some form: AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VT, VA, DC, WV, WI, WY What states do not allow sports betting? Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah currently have no legal sports betting options. Minnesota has passed legislation, but not been launched. Utah faces the highest structural barrier due to a constitutional prohibition on all gambling. When did sports betting sites become legal in the US? The federal ban on sports betting (PASPA) was struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2018. New Jersey launched the first legal online sportsbook outside Nevada in August 2018. More than 30 states have since followed. What states is DraftKings legal in? DraftKings is the most widely available sportsbook in the US, licensed in 26 states plus Washington DC. It operates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. What states is FanDuel legal in? FanDuel is the most widely used sportsbook in the US by market share. It operates in all major online markets, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, Massachusetts, and more. Can I bet on sports if I am visiting a legal state? Yes. If you are physically inside a state with legal sports betting, you can place bets through any app licensed in that state regardless of where you live. You cannot place bets while located in a state where sports betting is not legal. All licensed sportsbooks use geolocation to verify your physical location. What is the minimum age to bet on sports? The minimum age is 21 in most states. Some states including New Jersey, Iowa, Wyoming, and Washington DC allow betting at 18, though individual operators may enforce a 21 minimum regardless of state law. Always verify both your state’s law and the specific app’s age requirement before registering. Is online sports betting legal in my state? Online sports betting is legal only in certain states, and the rules vary widely depending on where you are. Some states allow full statewide mobile wagering through multiple licensed apps, while others limit betting to tribal land, a single operator, or retail sportsbooks only. Check the table above to see whether online sports betting is legal in your state.
Sports Betting States Where It’s Legal in the US 2026 (Full List)
Apr 22, 2026 | 2:10 PM


